Snow Removal Regulations

The Village has updated and amended Codes related to the removal of snow and ice on public sidewalks. The proposed amendments are intended to clarify the responsibilities of property owners in snow clearing.

Do the new snow clearing requirements apply to all properties in the Village?

No, the proposed code amendments for removal of snow and/or ice on public sidewalks apply to properties specifically located in the non-residential zoning districts. Concern has been raised by residents having difficulty accessing the train station/businesses during a winter storm event.

Additionally, the amendment would require the clearing of all sidewalks along the following street segments, regardless of whether the property is used for residential or non-residential purposes:

St. Charles Road from Elizabeth Street to Martha Street;

Main Street from Grove Avenue to Washington Boulevard;

Park Avenue from Orchard Terrace to McGuire Drive; and

Westmore-Meyers Road from Division Street to North Broadway.

How should snow be removed from public sidewalks that are directly adjacent to the street?

All snow shall be cleared and placed upon private property. However, in cases in which there is no private land in which to place the cleared snow (such as in the downtown Lombard area), snow can be placed along the curbline.

How else are the codes being changed?

The required path of thirty-six (36) inches currently required to be cleared will be increased to sixty (60) inches to provide additional accessibility and safety.

If I own a corner lot in one of the above referenced street segments or in a non-residential zoning district, which public sidewalk am Iresponsible to clear of snow and/or ice?

All public sidewalks abutting a street are required to be cleared including the points that intersect as shown here.

When must the snow and/or ice be cleared from the sidewalk?

Existing code requires sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours from the end of the snow event. Failure to clear the walkways within 24 hours may result in follow-up code enforcement action.

What should property owners do if the sidewalk is covered in snow and ice from other plowing operations?

For private plowing activities, please inform your contractor of the sidewalk clearing obligation. Private property owners are only obligated to clear the sidewalk areas up to the curbline. Please note that sometimes plowing of streets may result in additional snow being pushed onto the public sidewalk – you will need to take steps to ensure that all snow is removed from the sidewalk after a snow event.

What should be done about icing on the sidewalk?

For iced sidewalks, you can place salt or another type of abrasive on the area and follow up with clearing of the walkways as soon as possible.

When will these provisions be put into place?

Most of the provisions noted above were already within Village Code. However, to offer additional clarity and consistency, the Village’s Public Works and Environmental Concerns Committee reviewed the code amendments and the Village Board approved the amendments to be in place for the 2018–2019 snow season.

Who should I contact if I have further questions regarding snow clearing activities?